Taking "DRAB" and Making It "FAB" - At Least My Girl's Think So! I LOVE PROJECTS!

My girls were are in DIRE need of a dresser!  I'm talking ABSOLUTE DESPERATION!  When we first moved into this house, my girl's dresser fell into a hundred pieces (not really, but it was basically ruined) and they have since been "LIVING" out of their closet floor!  It's just NOT WORKING anymore!  I can't tell you how many times I've organized and sorted and folded and fixed piles...just to have the five year old knock everything over in distress, while looking for her outfit in the morning!  WHAT A MESS!

So I was delighted to learn that we have a HABITAT for HUMANITY "RESTORE" fairly close to our house!  I went this weekend and found an absolute steal!  A solid wood (blah looking) dresser for only $25.00.  I couldn't pass up this deal!  I already saw the inspiration of my transformation of this DRAB dresser into something FABULOUS for my girls! 

After figuring out what colors they wanted their dresser to be...I got to work, busily sanding, priming and painting! 

THE FINAL OUTCOME...is pretty fabulous...if you ask my girls! 

What girls wouldn't love a bright pink with purple handles dresser?  THEY LOVE it! 

"It's Beautiful!", the youngest daughter shouted! 

"Good Job Mom!", the oldest said, giving her approval!

Mommy (giving a big smile), "I love it too girls!" 

I am just thrilled to finally get their closet in order again...after almost three years of disarray!

"Udderly Smooth" Is An UDDERLY FABULOUS Way To Moisturize Your Skin! #WIN SOME To Try For Yourself!

My skin gets super duper dried out and cracked in the winter weather here in on the East Coast.  My hands, my legs and arms, even my face.  My poor little guy (the youngest) has extremely dry skin (year round), so finding a product that works for us all...is IDEAL!!

I was super excited to learn about "UDDERLY SMOOTH" Udder Cream! 

Now...before you get grossed out..HEAR ME OUT!

Udderly Smooth is a product that has been used for years on the UDDERS of a milk cow!  I can imagine that the udders probably get pretty dried out and chapped...so having a product to moisturize their sensitive skin in that area (where they are doing the most work) is necessary to keep them comfortable and functional.

Now think about your own skin.  Don't you "WORK" best when your body and skin is in fully moisturized, functional order?  I know I do!  When my hands are dried, chapped and cracking...I hurt...and don't function well at all when I'm in pain.

This super thick, clean smelling cream moisturized and nourishes the skin (my skin) and replenishes the softness that WINTER dries out of it.  I LOVE THIS STUFF!  It's also safe to use on your whole body!

Is your skin suffering this winter? 

Want to win some Udderly Smooth to try out on your own DRIED OUT & CHAPPED SKIN?  There are two chances to enter:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The second one is by liking their Facebook page (CLICK HERE), because when they reach 3000 "FANS" they are giving out 30 winners will receive some UDDERLY Smooth product!

I was not paid to feature this post!  I was compensated only by the product sent for review/feature!

Wuggle Pets - Now I Understand Why Kids Love Them So Much!

Take a minute and watch this video:

 Is this the first you've seen this commercial? 

If you have small kids like I do...chances are that you have not only seen the commercial, but the song has been stuck in your kids head (and yours too) at some point during the day!

The minute they arrived at our house (for this review/feature), my kids were already singing it!  Now, I'll admit that, I personally thought (from the commercials) that this would be a toy that would end up (after we were done) in the bottom of the toy pile, never to be seen again.  BUT I WAS WRONG!!

We took the contents of the package out...to survey what we needed to do, to get our Wuggle Pets ready for play. 

First, the kids picked out the character trait (personality) they wanted their Wuggle Pet to have.  Funny enough (out of the probably 20 available), my two little ones picked the same one for their pets.  I thought that was cute!

We loaded the stuffing machine with the stuffing and they helped me sprinkle the MAGIC DUST (confetti) in on top! 

Then we hooked our Wuggle Pets on the end, and they started cranking (which wasn't hard or difficult...even for the three year old).  As they cranked...they sang the Wuggle Pet's theme song!  TO FUNNY!

When the stuffing in the machine ran out, we sealed up the met and filled out the birth certificates, to officially make them a part of our family! 

Meet "Pet Pet" the Puppy!  Sorry...he was busy loving on him already!

Meet "Emma" the Unicorn!

Overall, our experience with the Wuggle Pets product was positive and fun filled.  My little guy wore his Wuggle Pet, hooked on his pants, for the rest of the night.  My daughter immediately hooked "EMMA" on her backpack to take to school with her.  She loves it!

If you have small kids and they have been begging you to get Wuggle Pets...you may consider it for a birthday present or special "treat" for them.  We had a blast making ours and it was cheaper than going to the store in the mall to "stuff our own" friends.  Plus, this size pet is much easier to "take with you" when you are on the go!  Just saying...our family loves our Wuggle Pets!

I was not paid to feature this post!  I was compensated only by the product sent for review/feature!

You Made A LAMP Out Of WHAT??? Check Out These INVENTIVE Ideas! Be Inspired To Design Your Own!

I have a thing for light! 

I am a huge fan of it!!  The brighter it can be...the better! 

It's HUGELY attractive to me! 

So, I was in awe of some of the ways people have been creative and invented their own "LAMP" creations!  Check out some of these awesome ideas I found on PINTEREST:

Source: poppytalk.blogspot.com via Lisa on Pinterest

How about a Mason Jar Lamp?  LOVE IT!  We all have a few of these laying around our house, right?

Source: Uploaded by user via Courtney on Pinterest

What about lamps out of tuna cans and little tea light candles?  I LOVE THIS!!  Of course, you cover the cans with some decorative fabric or paper...but you would never know what they were...unless you put them together!

Source: google.co.uk via Courtney on Pinterest

How about a TOP HAT style lamp (this would be adorable for a boy themed room)!

Source: littlemissredhead.wordpress.com via Courtney on Pinterest

OK...I think this is an adorable "LIGHT" for Halloween.  We all go through tons of Milk Gallons every month, right?  Make a few ghosts to line your driveway with!  SO CUTE!

Source: google.com via Courtney on Pinterest

How about lamps (for under the cupboard in a kitchen) out of tea cups or coffee mugs? I LOVE THIS one too!

Source: poppytalk.blogspot.com via Courtney on Pinterest

Last one...how about making a lamp for your kitchen out of a wire basket? LOVE THIS LOOK! The basket can be as simple or fancy as you want. You can spray paint in whatever color you want too!

These are just a few ideas I found on Pinterest! What's the most creative or INTERESTING LAMP you've ever seen? Would you put any of these (that I've mentioned above) in your home??

I was not paid to feature this post! I was not compensated in any way by posting about these creative ideas!

3 Day Only #GIVEAWAY - PIRATE'S BOOTY Is A Must Have At Your SUPERBOWL Party!

Have you ever tried "PIRATE'S BOOTY"?

This delicious, melt in your mouth snack is not only a favorite of my kids (they can't get enough of it)...but the adults in this house love it too!  In fact, having a bowl of Pirate's Booty at your SUPERBOWL party on the 5th, might make you the "FAN FAVORITE" house because of your snack selections!

Score points with the home team this Big Game day by serving a family favorite – Pirate’s Booty!  This year, intercept regular chips with a healthier alternative like Pirate’s Booty, which has half the fat and less calories (130 calories for a one ounce serving) than greasy fried potato chips. 

Pirate’s Booty is a deliciously baked, all-natural snack made from puffed rice and corn.  Pirate’s Booty is also trans-fat and gluten free and…fun!  Pirate’s Booty comes in a great variety of flavors like Aged White Cheddar. 

Enter to win one case (12 four-ounce bags) of Pirate’s Booty Aged White Cheddar for your Big Game Day party! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I was not paid to feature this post! I was compensated only by the product sent for review/feature!

I'll Be "SHAVING" Far Less This Year...Thanks To Remington's New iLight Pro Technology!

SHAVING...it's my enemy!  I remember when I got to shave for the first time (much to my humiliation), I took a huge chunk of skin off the shin of my leg...and thought to myself, "OUCH...was it really worth all the anticipation and excitement after all?"  Little did I know that shaving was something that would become a daily thing...and one that I really don't enjoy doing all that much!

I know I'm not alone!  How do I know that?  Because companies are making products to eliminate the need for daily shaving.  Without the demand...these products wouldn't be HUGE on the market like they are!

I was so excited when "The Balancing Act" sent me the new Remington iLight Pro Hair Removal System to review (sent free of charge for this review/feature).  Why was I SOOOO excited?  Well, after the first initial removal (with the possible need for a couple follow up revisits), the need to shave or hair remove could be spaced out in (UP TO) 6 month increments.  AWESOME!  So much more appealing to me than shaving daily or even weekly (if you NAIR or use that type of hair removal product).

So, because I was new to this system...the DVD came in very handy...to get me started on the road to "AT HOME" hair removal.

I decided that my armpits were a good starting point.  Being blessed with naturally dark hair...my armpits are definitely a DAILY shaving area.  Even hours after shaving...it can appear that I didn't shave that day!  I figured that if I could take care of that would be an excellent JUMPING OFF point. 

So, last night I shaved my armpits and made sure they were good and dry.  Then I plugged in the iLight Pro and got started in the process of hair removal.  I'm not going to lie...it gives a good zap (even on the lowest setting)...but in the long term of things, I would rather a little pain then the daily annoyance of shaving.  It didn't HURT...but again, it was on the lowest setting and it was my first time using it too!

Listen to my VLOG about my experience:

Curious how much this system costs?  It's under $250 and if you went into a salon to have treatments, it would cost far more.  Plus, you can do it from the comfort of your own bathroom or wherever you are comfortable doing it.  You could probably even do it in front of the TV at night!

Don't worry...I will be doing a follow up to this review...in a few weeks, to let you know the results of the whole system!  Will it be worth your investment??  I have a good feeling about it, but we'll see.

While you wait...CLICK HERE to check out more information about this Remington iLight Pro Hair Removal System.

I was not paid to feature this post!  I was compensated only by the product sent for review/feature!  This feature will also be included on "The Balancing Act" website!

Want To See Me On TV?? My Better Connecticut TV Segment...CHECK IT OUT!

This morning, as you know, I headed to Rocky Hill, CT to tape a segment for the

Better Connecticut Show! 

I got my table/display all set up, to talk about all the products I brought with me...

and then I settled into a seat in the audience to wait for my segment taping time!

HERE's my segment:

Of course, I had to take a picture with Olessa Stepanova, before I headed out!  

I had a great time and look forward to other opportunities in 2012 to talk about awesome products and get exposure on local and national television shows!